AG: Hudson Valley Man Stole $30,000 in Superstorm Sandy Relief Funds

A Hudson Valley man is accused of stealing over $30,000 in Superstorm Sandy relief funds.

According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, 66-year-old Dominic M. Moccia of Mahopac filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and a state grant under the Homeowner Resettlement Program .

As a result, he received approximately $33,839 in relief funds, officials say.

Moccia is accused of claiming his vacation home in Seaside Heights, which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, was his main home. An investigation determined that Moccia lived in Mahopac and vacationed in New Jersey, authorities say.

As a result of the alleged fake applications, Moccia received $23,839 from FEMA for home repairs and rental assistance and a $10,000 RSP grant. Moccia was charged with theft by deception and unsworn falsification.

“Stealing any type of public aid is reprehensible, but it’s especially egregious to steal relief funds in the context of a historic disaster, when every dollar is needed for recovery,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice.

Moccia was one of five charged on Thursday for stealing federal relief funds related to Superstorm Sandy.

“We charge that these defendants stole from disaster relief programs and by extension from the victims who were hardest hit by the storm,” Attorney General Christopher Porrino said. “We’ll continue to charge every cheat we identify who diverted funds from these recovery programs and from victims in need.”